PALE COMB in chickens- causes, treatment, prevention

The chicken’s comb is a good indicator of general health. If your chicken’s comb is unusually pale, the most likely culprits are as follows: anemia (typically due to parasites), heat exhaustion or dehydration, stress, or frost bite.

A hen’s comb will be more pale anytime she is not laying eggs such as: immaturity, brooding, or during seasons of molting. 

A pale comb may be a warning sign of a more serous illness. Diseases and infections that affect the circulatory and respiratory systems can cause the comb to appear pale.

Use the following comprehensive list to determine why your chicken’s comb is pale. 

Consult your local veterinarian for a complete diagnosis. Use treatment suggestions at your own risk. Refer to footnotes for further information about treatment options.

Helpful Hint: Depending on the breed of chicken, a healthy comb may appear a variety of colours from red to purple to black. 

A young pullet that has not begun laying will have a pale comb.

Common Causes of a pale comb in chickens

Anemia

The most common cause of anemia in chickens is internal parasites or external parasites. Symptoms of anemia include:

• pale, shrunken combs
• black spots on the comb from bug bites and droppings

TREATMENT OPTIONS:

To mitigate anemia, offer red raw meat to your chicken to increase their iron level; feed iron rich foods such as spinach, scrambled eggs, meat; offer Rooster Booster Poultry Cell vitamin and mineral supplement.

Note: commercial chicken feed has iron added.

* DO NOT give human iron supplements to chickens- the results can be fatal.

Treating Parasites in Chickens

Treat every chicken with poultry approved powder or spray. A combination of Ivermectin, Permethrin, and Elector PSP can be used. For doses and usage click here.

PREVENTION

Reduce chance of parasites through routine cleaning and disinfecting; use raised feeders and waterers to ensure chickens don’t poop in them; provide sand, dry soil, or diatomaceous earth for a dust bath (the small debris cleans the feathers and smoothers insects).

Chicken Anemia Virus¹

• pale comb and wattles
• lethargic
• reduced weight gain
• secondary infections increase mortality rate up to 60%

TREATMENT

There is no treatment available for Chicken Anemia Virus (CAV)

PREVENTATIVE MEASURE

Adult birds are vaccinated or exposed to the virus, before egg production begins. Maternal antibodies can be tested before eggs are incubated, to ensure offspring will be immune.  

The virus is extremely tolerant to heat and chemical disinfectants. 

Heat Exhaustion/ Dehydration

• Pale comb and wattles
• dry flat comb
• panting
• holding wings away from body
• lethargy
• decreased appetite

TREATMENT²

Hot weather of 100F (37 C) is to hot for chickens to thrive. You must provide relief. Add electrolytes to the water; keep in mind chickens will drink significantly more water during hot days, up to twice as much.

Add sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to laying hen feed, and feed the flock in the cool part of the evening.

Provide frozen fruit and veggies as treats. Freeze an ice cream pail of water and leave it with the chickens as it melts.

PREVENTION

Make sure flock has access to shade at all times and coops are properly ventilated.

Molting³

Chickens typically moult and lose their feathers once a year (after one year of age). The chicken will grow new feathers and lay larger, although less frequent, eggs. A molt can take one week to six months to complete

• pale comb
• pale wattles
• reduced egg production
• unsightly patchy feathers and bare skin

TREATMENT

Offer increased protein options such as meat, eggs products, dairy products, or grains such as wheat and peas.

Support their immune system by adding Apple Cider Vinegar to their water (1 Tablespoon per gallon of water⁴) 

PREVENTION

Molting is a normal behaviour for all laying hens and cannot be prevented.

Use the methods above to support your chickens through this process to promote healthy new feathers and healthy chickens.

Broody Hen

Broody refers to a hen who is trying to hatch a clutch of chicks; sitting on a nest of eggs.

• decreased food and water intake
• stopped laying eggs
• will remain on the nest all times of day and night

TREATMENT

If you want your hen to hatch a clutch, make sure food and water is easily accessible.

You may need to move the broody girl to a private area to ensure other hens don’t disturb the setting process (this might be necessary is she has chosen to sit on eggs in the favourite nesting box!)

If you do not want her to sit on the egg, you must keep moving her out of her nesting spot, or block it all together. More tips to break a broody hen here.

PREVENTION

Broodiness is a natural instinct and cannot be prevented, although very few of my chickens go broody. The instinct has been selectively reduced in place of more productive egg laying.

Stress

• pale comb as a symptom of being unwell
• lethargy

TREATMENT

Evaluate environment. Check for stressors such as cleanliness; ensure bedding is clean and dry. Prevent over crowding and bullying. Is there a threat from dogs or predators?

Evaluate your feeding routine, feed choice, water availability, and light source.

Add 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 clove of crushed garlic, and 1 teaspoon of honey to one gallon of water as immune support.

PREVENTION

Diligent upkeep in regards to cleanliness, keep fresh water available at all times, and choose appropriate feed combinations.

Frost Bite

• mainly affecting the tips fo the comb
• the comb may change from pale, light pink, then grey, to white, and lastly black
• black colour indicated the tissue has died and will fall off in 3-6 weeks

TREATMENT

Usually no treatment is necessary. Isolate the bird if they appear stressed, lethargic, or other birds are pecking at the comb.

You can cover the comb with petroleum jelly to aid in healing.

DO NOT use direct heat to warm the chicken’s comb, this will cause pain as feeling comes back into the damaged skin.

Do not pick the black tissue. Any dead tissue will fall off on its own. If it falls off prematurely, attend the open wound with gentle antiseptic. 

PREVENTION

Chose cold hardy chicken breeds, and breeds with smaller combs. Insulate the chicken coops. Have enough birds to keep each other warm with body heat.

Some poultry keepers choose to add supplemental heat during cold weather.

Feed scratch grains as the digestive process warms the body.

Fowl Typhoid⁵

This disease has been eradicated from the United States, Canada, and most of Eastern Europe.

• pale anemic comb and wattles
• sudden death
• green yellow diarrhea
• weakness
• usually affect birds over 12 weeks of age
• high mortality

TREATMENT

Antimicrobial drugs and antibiotics can be used to treat the disease, but the recovered chickens will remain carriers, therefore infected poultry should be culled.

PREVENTION

Vaccination is available. Red mites may transmit these parasitic infections, so cleanliness is an imperative.  

Circulatory and Respiratory Issues

Circulatory issues mean blood flow is reduced to the extremities. A respiratory issue can also cause a reduction of blood circulation and oxygen flow throughout the body.

In these cases, the comb may appear pale and progress to a blue cyanotic tinge.

It is possible for the comb could turn pale and then white. Once the comb has turned white it often means that death is imminent as blood has completely stopped flowing to the comb. 

The following is a list of diseases or infections that can cause respiratory and circulatory problems. A pale comb may be present along with a variety of other symptoms.

Fowl Cholera⁶

• pale pink comb developing into a deeply purple comb if a respiratory infection settles in
• mucous in mouth
• watery green diarrhea
• loss of appetite

TREATMENT

Antibiotics can be prescribed, however, the disease often returns once the medication is no longer applied.

Cull affected birds and thoroughly sanitize entire coop.

PREVENTION

Clean using an antimicrobial agent such as bleach. Maintain a clean, low stress environment. Control rodent population.

Vaccination is available.

Avian Influenza⁷

• chicken combs turning pale, purple, or blue
• coughing, sneezing, gasping
• lack of energy
• decreased egg production
• diarrhea
• stumbling, tremors, seizures
• swelling around face
• sudden death

TREATMENT

There is no effective treatment for the Avian flu. Flocks are euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease.

Notify your local veterinarian, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Animal Health Office (here), or your state wildlife management agency.

PREVENTION

Prevent contact with wild fowl (it is often introduced through wild birds). Quarantine new birds to ensure they are healthy before introducing them to the flock. Separate sickly birds immediately. 

New Castle Disease⁸

• almost identical to Avian Influenza
• respiratory problems such as sneezing, gasping for breath and coughing
• lack of appetite- weight loss
• decreased egg production
• neurological abnormalities such as tremors, uncontrollable movements
• swelling in face
• green watery diarrhea
• sudden death

TREATMENT

No treatment is available, birds are euthanized to prevent the spread of disease⁹.

PREVENTION

Practice proper biosecurity, quarantine new birds.

Support the chicken’s health through cleanliness- don’t forget feeders and waterers.

Vaccination is available although it hasn’t proven completely successful. 

Bacterial Diseases

A pale comb may be present if a chicken is ailing with a bacterial disease or infection, due to circulatory and respiratory issues that may be present, or as a sign of general distress. Other symptoms will also be present.

Bacteria infections can be treated with antibiotics, but it does not cure the diseases. Chickens will remain a carrier for their entire life. You should practice a closed flock if this is the case. 

COLIBACILLOSIS (Coliform infections)

Colibacillosis is the most common disease in poultry. It is caused by a strain of E.coli. This disease has caused serious economic set backs to chicken farmers over the years. Learn more about Colibacillosis here.

• can show up in a wide variety of issues caused by inflammation and swelling such as blood poisoning, circulatory issues, respiratory distress
• swelling of the abdomen
• facial swelling
• reduced egg production

TREATMENT

Antibiotics and antimicrobials have been used to treat symptoms, but resistance has become a major concern. Click here for a complete list of approved drugs and doses for treatment.

Separate affect birds. 

PREVENTION

Ensure good air quality and circulation, a stress free environment.

Maintain healthy immune systems through clean facilities, water, and feeders included. Manage pests.

CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE (CRD)

A common respiratory disease that can co-exist with other issues, mainly Coccidiosis.¹⁰

• gasping and rales while breathing
• lethargy, poor health
• decreased growth rate

TREATMENT

Antibiotics and antimicrobial drugs have shown great success as treatment. Click here for approved drugs and doses for treatment.

PREVENTION

Practice safe biosecurity measures. Maintain clean facilities to reduce ammonia inhalation in chickens.

Support strong immune systems through raising broilers on pasture and moving to fresh grass daily.

Infectious Bronchitis¹¹

• respiratory disease such as coughing and sneezing
• rales for 10-14 days
• mortality is typically 100%

TREATMENT

There is no treatment for Infectious Bronchitis in poultry.

PREVENTION

Vaccines are available to help prevent Infectious Bronchitis in poultry.

Infectious Coryza

• nasal discharge
• swelling of face and nasal area
• listlessness

TREATMENT

“Because early treatment is important, immediate administration of medication via drinking water is recommended until medicated feed is available. Erythromycin and oxytetracycline are usually effective.”¹²

PREVENTION 

Vaccines and biosecurity measures are suggested.

Fungal Infection

Cutaneous Mycosis¹³

• very similar to fowl pox
• the fungus can appear as a white film on the comb
• crusty spots with black scabs may be present

TREATMENT

As with all diseases, it is much more beneficial to put efforts into preventative measures than rely on treatment options, as many disease do not have successful treatment options available.

If the fungal infections presents in the mouth and mucous membranes, Nystatin is used as treatment, added to food or water.

A topical fungal cream such as Miconazole (nitrate 2%) can be used to treat the affected area.

PREVENTION

Fungi exist all around. Chickens are exposed to different varieties often. A healthy chicken will ward off these bacteria naturally. 

Support the immune system by maintaining a stress free environment with proper temperatures, cleanliness, and adequate food and water. Do not overuse antibiotics.

More Troubleshooting:

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1. Merck Manual Veterinary Manual> Chicken Anemia Virus Infection>Vicky L van Santen, PhD, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University ↩︎
2. University of Minnesota Extension> Preventing Heat Stress in Poultry> Sally Noll, Extension Poultry Scientist ↩︎
3. Mississippi State University Extension> Molting of Laying Hens> ↩︎
4. Fresh Eggs Daily> Apple Cider Vinegar and Garlic for Chickens ↩︎
5. National Library of Medicine> Fowl Typhoid and Pullorum Disease> Shivaprasad HL. Fowl typhoid and pullorum disease. Rev Sci Tech. 2000 Aug;19(2):405-24. doi: 10.20506/rst.19.2.1222. PMID: 10935271. ↩︎
6. Merck Manual Veterinary Manual> Fowl Cholera> Megan Lightly, DVM, PhD, DACPV, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, Pennsylvania State University ↩︎
7. Government of Canada> Animal Health> Protect Your Flock from Bird Flu ↩︎
8. United States Department of Agriculture> Protect Your Poultry From Virulent New Castle Disease> aphis.usda.gov ↩︎
9. Merck Manual Veterinarian Manual> New Castle Disease in Poultry>By Kiril Dimitrov, DVM, PhD, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory ↩︎
10. National Library of Medicine> Complex chronic respiratory disease concurrent with coccidiosis in broiler chickens in Malaysia: A case report>Kamaruzaman INA, Ng KY, Hamdan RH, Shaharulnizim N, Zalati CWSCW, Mohamed M, Nordin ML, Rajdi NZIM, Abu-Bakar L, Reduan MFH. Complex chronic respiratory disease concurrent with coccidiosis in broiler chickens in Malaysia: A case report. J Adv Vet Anim Res. 2021 Nov 1;8(4):576-580. doi: 10.5455/javar.2021.h547. PMID: 35106296; PMCID: PMC8757677. ↩︎
11. Merck Manual Veterinarian Manual> Infectious Bronchitis in Poultry>Mark W. Jackwood, PhD, Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia ↩︎
12. Merck Manual Veterinarian Manual> Infectious Coryza in Chickens>Edgardo Soriano-Vargas, Dr, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México ↩︎
13. National Library of Medicine> Comb Candidiasis Affecting Roosters in a Broiler Breeder Flock>Osorio C, Fletcher O, Dykstra MJ, Post K, Barnes HJ. Comb candidiasis affecting roosters in a broiler breeder flock. Avian Dis. 2007 Jun;51(2):618-22. doi: 10.1637/0005-2086(2007)51[618:CCARIA]2.0.CO;2. PMID: 17626496. ↩︎